Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Transport will collaborate with the Yangtze River Delta region to implement an action plan aimed at promoting high-quality development of inland river shipping, focusing on enhancing transportation capacity and efficiency [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Initiatives - The Ministry of Transport, along with several other ministries, has issued the "Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Development of Inland River Shipping," which includes innovative measures to develop a logistics platform for inland water transport, reducing empty sailing and waiting times for vessels [1][5]. - The government plans to construct short connecting waterways to improve access between inland waterways and key industrial parks, addressing connectivity issues and enhancing logistics efficiency [2][5]. Group 2: Advantages of Inland Shipping - Inland shipping is characterized by large capacity, low costs, and low energy consumption, making it a vital component in reducing overall logistics costs for society [1][2]. - The country has the largest demand and transport scale for inland shipping globally, with the Yangtze River, Pearl River, and Grand Canal linking the most developed economic regions, significantly supporting economic and social development [2][3]. Group 3: Challenges and Development Goals - Current challenges in inland shipping include bottlenecks in waterways, weak port hub capabilities, and insufficient organizational levels in transportation, indicating significant potential for development [3]. - The government aims to enhance the digitalization and intelligence of port and waterway infrastructure, with a target for 85% coverage of electronic navigation charts by 2030 and a complete railway access for major ports along the Yangtze River [6]. Group 4: Green and Smart Transformation - The government is promoting the use of new energy and clean energy in inland shipping, including battery-powered and LNG technologies, to support a green shipping industry [5][6]. - There will be a focus on developing smart ports and waterways, utilizing technologies like digital twins and intelligent sensing devices to improve safety and reduce operational costs [6].